Soup of the Gods and French Lessons...

It's been a busy few days here in The Humble Bungalow.
Janet from The Gardener's Cottage inspired me with her recent post.
She lives in the most beautiful cottage and her eye for detail in decor is sheer perfection.

Spring Cleaning has commenced and I have started with some really messy spaces...
kitchen drawers and the pantry cupboard.

The dry goods shelf of the pantry cupboard.

I washed the shelves and wiped the jars before rearranging the supplies.

I was surprised how many packages of half full pasta were lurking in the back of the cupboard.

It's good to have a regular clean out so you can keep on top of what you have on hand.

No need to buy what you already have!

I switched over my "junk" drawer and turned it into my spice drawer.

I got rid of most of the junk and so now it looks more like an office supply spot.

You can see why the spices were crowded as this drawer is tiny compared to the one that house the spices.

I cleaned out my make up tin and wiped all the containers and washed and air dried the brushes.

I am a minimalist when it comes to make up...

rather a maximalist when it comes to skin care but that is another post altogether!

I made the BEST mushroom soup that I have ever tasted!

It is so delicious that I used the word "orgasmic" when describing it to the girlfriend that gave me the book.

Soup Sisters Easy and Delish mushroom soup recipe can be viewed here.

Saute the onions, garlic and mushrooms.

Make the roux.

Simmer the soup a few minutes.

Serve.

Enjoy!

I have started taking French Lessons from Alliance Francaise.

I've 5 years of French under my belt but that was years ago, so I need to bring my skills up to speed in preparation for the trip to Paris next year.

There is a lot of homework in addition to the weekly lessons, so my blog posting will be taking a back seat for awhile until I catch up and feel more confident in class.

I would like to ask readers who have been to Paris for a favour.

I wonder if you might share some of the best things to see and do and also if any of you have apartment rental agencies or accommodation information.

 I would be most grateful.

Amities,

Hostess

XO

Branching out...

In our neighbourhood people are always putting stuff out on the boulevard.
Stuff that they no longer want and it's free for the taking.
Sometimes it is a ragged couch, old computer or a TV...and I think this is a rather unfortunate habit of dumping things people are too lazy to recycle at the appropriate depots and it makes our neighbourhood look a bit scruffy.

On occasion one finds a true gem.
I have been very lucky scooping up the odd wicker chair, table, vase or canning jars.

I was chatting with my neighbour as she walked by our Humble Bungalow and she had a few large branches in her hands. I thought they were pussy willows at first but upon closer inspection I could see that they were magnolia buds, much larger than pussy willows so naturally I asked her where she had found them. She told me that someone had pruned their magnolia tree and put the trimmings on the boulevard in front of their house a few blocks away...with no time to waste I dashed off to procure my own branches!

I arranged them in the arts and crafts copper vase.

I wonder if they will bloom.

I cut down the pussy willows that were in the copper vessel and rearranged them in a white pitcher.

The bluest skies energize me no end.

I feel that I can breathe deeper and there is an extra bounce in my step.

One of the bounties of Mother Nature's gifts.

Have you found a gem free for the taking?

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

~ Coco Chanel ~

Make some time this week to do something nice for someone who needs a little TLC.

It can be a simple gesture, something from the heart.

Plant some seeds of kindness and watch them grow and blossom.

Hostess

XO

Vogue and Chanel agree...Black and White are best friends!

Black and White tweed combined with ruffly edging come together to make a jacket inspired by Chanel.
I am too embarrassed to mention how little I paid for this jacket so I'll leave you guessing.

It is rather ladylike, a classic, that will be paired with distressed denim as well as dressy skirts and pants.

Have you read the latest Vogue UK?
The Spring fashion issue?
I splurged and spent an hour sipping tea and reading it cover to cover.

On the cover draw your eye to the top right..

"Black and White Fashion's Perfect Pair."

I've been pairing them for the past few years and I am certainly no fashionista.

They are great partners and can be a sturdy and reliable palette.

A reader commented once that my love for black and white reminded them of the uniform that maids and hotel staff wear.

Right you are dear reader!

When I worked at The Oak Bay Beach Hotel in my teens I wore exactly that same uniform!

Coco Chanel loved using them together.

 She was famous for pinning a pure white gardenia bloom onto a black jacket or LBD.

Coco's layered pearl strands were gorgeous worn on top of her black tops, dresses, and iconic tweed jackets.

I wore my boots shopping and they are super comfy.

"Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury."

~ Coco Chanel ~

Picked up some stuff that I needed at Sephora and the Beauty Insider Birthday gift.

Make Up Forever mascara and a lipstick.

I discovered that Fresh makes a Seaberry serum...

I thought that I would try a small size as it has Sea Buckthorn in it. 

I apply a layer Sea Buckthorn salve every night before I go to bed which helps keep my rosacea under control.

I love a Chanel inspired jacket...tweedy with ragged threads.

These details are intrinsic in the iconic Coco Chanel design.

I think I'd swap out the blue denim skinnies for a darker denim, or my black ponte knit pants or black skirt with this jacket.. .it might look better with my white jeans.

With so many options it will be fun switching it up.

All I know is that it will be getting worn a lot!

Not a name that I know...have you heard it before?

Flirty cuff details...

My son and his lovely wife gave me a luxurious birthday gift.

Jo Malone's reed diffuser to imbue our Humble Bungalow with my favourite fragrance.

 Roses!

Life is not black and white, remember there are always some grey areas!

I wish you a joy filled week.

Hostess

XO

Linking up with Patti this Monday 

Funtime Friday

Since retiring I have not allowed myself the luxury of spending an entire day playing hooky.
Doing silly and fun things...an entire day out and about in the downtown core.

I wore my pearls...love a dangly drop earring as it makes me feel so feminine.

I hitched an early morning ride with Mr. HB on his way to work and took myself off to Starbucks for coffee and breakfast. I do love a good decaf Americano.
I sat myself down at a table beside the window and gazed out onto the streets of Chinatown and noticed some weary looking street people gathered with their over flowing shopping carts which they use for all their personal belongings. Our city has quite a few street people who live in the downtown core. Some sleep in shelters at night and others create makeshift beds on cardboard scraps and hunker down in doorways and alleys.
It is a sad state of affairs...
I wonder how they have come to be down on their luck, displaced and homeless.
I cannot imagine what it must be like to be living on the street, cold and hungry without a roof overhead.

When they noticed I was staring, I turned my eyes away so as not to invade their privacy.
Then I watched the people in line come in and order their morning coffee and wondered if they were regulars and by the greetings that they were exchanging I felt they must be, at least on Friday mornings.

After a leisurely breakfast I caught up on my blog reading on my IPhone and then walked down through Chinatown to Value Village. It was quiet at 9 am and I felt like I had the store to myself when an older gentlemen came up to me and started telling me that many of these items could be re purposed for things that they were not originally intended to be used for ...he was going off on a tangent and said "Young people need to know this but you don't!" I couldn't help but laugh! I said laughing "Yes I am old, have a great day!

I found a vintage jar with a lid that I am going to use in my pantry cupboard. I am always on the look out for these to store oats, flour, sugar and such in them as they look so much nicer and keep things fresh and neat.
I also found a pair of cowboy booties...my breakfast cost more than these boots!

Giddy Up!

I cruised through Gap looking at their sale racks and found two new tops.

I am loving these striped tops.

I had a further discount card so they were a steal.

I browsed Roots and checked out their new handbags as I love the quality and that they are made in Canada.

A bright colour would be fun for a change.

I own a few bags and they are all black!

I walked out without buying a thing.

I visited Chapters and looked at the books and was surprised to see how many other things that they have for sale.

Scarves, candles, home decor items...

I rarely shop in Chapters because I use the public library and buy books from a small shop on Oak Bay Avenue owned and run by the sister of a long time friend.

Ivy's Book Store is so convenient and the ladies that work there are super fun and friendly.

I checked out the Bay and some of the racks of women's wear but nothing really stood out and besides my stomach was growling. I checked my watch and it was 1:30 so no wonder I was hungry.

I took the escalator up to the top floor and dined in the cafeteria and sat beside this seagull.

I had planned to walk home but after 5 hours of walking my feet were tired so I hopped on the bus.

Came home and polished my booties, washed the jar and put the kettle on.

I finished the book that I was reading.

I leafed through the cookbook given to me by a friend.

Soup Sisters is an organization that makes soup for the needy.

We have a local chapter here in Victoria.

They meet at The London Chef on Fort Street.

Sounds like fun!

By the time Mr. HB arrived home after his day, I was in the kitchen with my apron on making dinner.

It was a great day and I was weary so we had an early night.

I plan to schedule in another full day of play next month. 

Have a great weekend!

Hurry Up Spring...thoughts for a grey day.

January and February have seen lots of rain which has become rather tedious and dreary.
A bit of snow has come our way but nothing that a hot cup of tea and a good book cannot ease.
Have you noticed that Spring is on it's way?

I have grown a wee bit impatient with the gloomy grey skies and have been craving a punch of colour.

I can see why many snowbirds travel south for the warmth and sunny skies.

The snowdrops are still blooming, such resilient little flowers.

Peek ~ a ~ Boo!

I spy with my little eye a crocus.

Masses of croci

I truly believe that beauty can be found everywhere...

Aren't they just so cheerful?

Makes me want to find a purple and orange scarf to wrap around my neck and shout 

"Goodbye Winter Hello Spring!"

Mini cobalt blue iris popping up to greet me from a neighbour's garden.

Those are daffodils showing off in a yard right across from Clover Point.

The salt spray and winds have not deterred their sunny yellow arrival.

Stalwart and sturdy stock these daffs.

Such a cheery tonic on a seaside walk.

Buds on the white ribes...in the front garden of The Humble Bungalow.

It won't be long and we'll be celebrating the new season and I can't wait!

Hurry Up Spring!

Grammy Day this week was a delight and a highlight.

After music class at the Conservatory Isla, Henry, Natalie and I stopped for a bite of lunch.

Our favourite lunch spot has toys to amuse the children which I think is very wise.

Everyone gets a bit of what they need...

some adult chit chat, a delicious lunch, some cuddles, a story and some fun playtime.

The sun came out and the mercury rose to 10 degrees...

I was able to take off my coat.

The Barbour vest worn with my new Burberry scarf was comfy and cozy.

I'm looking forward to wearing lighter clothing and bringing out the summer weight scarves.

Did you know that Hermes scarves are not to be worn in the rain?

It says that right on the card when you purchase one.

It won't be long and I'll be wearing these Ben Simon sneakers and this Hermes scarf.

Bring on the sunshine...

I started to add some of my own sunshine today by painting my nails...

and polishing up my bangles to add some sparkle to the day.

Better yes?

I also wore this silver belt for fun.

It elevates and decorates my $10 jeans.

I like the way they fit and the price is irresistible.

g21 at Walmart

A quick slick of a bright lipstick and I already feel like my disposition is sunnier.

Hurry Up Spring!